The New England Patriots' attempt to recoup the signing bonus given to Jonathan Fanene last year will continue in a hearing set for July 22 and 23, according to a league source.

The discovery process is ongoing and depositions were recently
taken, including one from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Fanene was released by the Patriots last August for failing to disclose a
physical condition, which gave New England grounds to come after his signing
bonus. An appeals panel then ruled in March to allow the NFL Management Council
to proceed in its attempt to recover "some or all" of the signing bonus given
to Fanene.

The "failure to disclose physical condition" designation was first introduced in 2012. Fanene signed a three-year, $12 million deal with New England after recording 6.5 sacks for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.

Jonathan FaneneAP

His bonus totaled $3.85 million, of which only $2.5 million has been paid.

According to court documents, the Patriots alleged during the appeals that Fanene,
who has arthritis in his left knee, concealed the fact that he was dependent on prescription drugs to practice and play. Those drugs are later classified in the document as being
"significant amounts of pain medication, including Vicodin and 800 mg. Motrin."

A source familiar with the case says that the Patriots will likely need to prove that Fanene was self-medicating without their knowledge to win the case.